That's what Zach Carter usually does, until one from the Daily Progress caught his attention June 16 with this subject line: "Tell President Obama YOU Support Arizona's Enforcement Law! –Paid Advertisement by NumbersUSA."

Carter calls the subject line "obnoxious" and describes the ad's content as "raging right-wing propaganda."

The email that went out to subscribers of the DailyProgress.com is an ad for NumbersUSA, an organization with the logo, "for lower immigration levels," and it asks recipients to click a button to send a fax to President Obama supporting Arizona's controversial new anti-illegal immigration laws.

"I don't like to be asked to support this from a news organization," says Carter, a journalist who is economics editor for Alternet. "It's not like they wrote a story about this and I disagreed."

In an email he fired off to the Progress, he asks, "Why are you sending me this ad asking me to endorse racism in Arizona?"

Former Albemarle supervisor David Slutzky also received the e-ad, and was equally perturbed. "I'm fine with the Daily Progress or any other paper expressing opinions in editorials," he says. "What troubles me is when they step outside that for advocacy."

He calls the missive "inappropriate" and "unseemly." Slutzky, too, contacted the paper to share his displeasure and notes, "The Daily Progress endorsed me. I don't have an ax to grind with them."

Progress publisher Lawrence McConnell acknowledges hearing from readers who think the email was inappropriate. "The response we've gotten so far indicated this did not meet expectations for email marketing," he says.

He points out that the email states at the top the content does not reflect the views of the Daily Progress or parent company Media General.

"This is not something we're sponsoring," he says. "It's a paid advertisement as it says. It is not our message."

Still, the response the paper has received may have it sticking with resorts advertising weekend getaways rather than organizations that advocate immigration policy.

"We're carefully evaluating the comments we've received today," says McConnell on June 16. "We may reevaluate sending out emails of a political nature."

And by June 17, the decision was made. In an email to the paper's marketing list, writes McConnell, "...[W]e've decided to reject in the future any email advertising of a political nature, either about candidates or issues."

53 comments

realist June 21st, 2010 | 9:21am

@nicknameoscar:
When I'm wrong I admit it. The 33% figure was based on what CNN's Lou Dobbs said. Further investigation by me revealed that the NY Times (whose veracity I usually seriously doubt, but in this case I'll take their word for it) looked into his claim and found the following federal figures:

"In 2000, 27 percent of the inmates in federal prisons were noncitizens. Some of these noncitizens were illegal immigrants, and some were in this country legally. In 2001, this percentage dropped to 24 percent, and it continued dropping over the next four years, falling to 20 percent in 2005."

It also went on to state that state prison figures are significantly lower (though I'd personally bet that in border states like CA and AZ, it's higher).

IMHO, it's still a very serious problem costing American citizens many hundreds of millions of dollars, not to mention the pain and suffering of the victims. Also, add in the huge costs associated with non-recovered costs of hospitals treating illegal aliens and the costs of schooling their kids and you have costs running into the billions easily.

Imagine you live in a bad neighborhood you cannot afford to get out of because of the terrible economy and you have not worked for 3 months since your jobsite closed, despite your degree.

You get a job offer in a field well below your training that pays $400K, more than 10 times what you would be earning in the best of times, but you will have to travel to Mexico for a year or two. You decide to take the job, and you apply for a work visa, but the Mexican embassy says they already have enough Americans this year, and besides, any American who wants to go to Mexico is probably a criminal and drug smuggler so they have to keep out your kind, and you visa request is denied. Besides, they tell you, if your kind wants to come to Mexico, you should have already learned to speak Spanish, and really well, not that stuttering high school spanish nonsense.

You go back to the home you are about to lose, look at your kids that are stuck in a lousy school where they are frequently attacked, and tell them sorry they can't have an education, a roof over their head, or a little saftey, because you are a good law abiding person. Giving them a future by disobeying a racist unfair law that stands between you and an honorable way to earn far more than you ever could at home would just be wrong.

Yeah, you are just too good a person.

realist June 19th, 2010 | 8:12pm

@KeepOutAmigos:

So the immigration laws are racist if they keep out hispanics but I guess they're just fine if they keep out Swedes, Irish or Greeks, for example. I guess those fools have to go by the rules, i.e. apply for visas, green cards, citizenship, but those who YOU deem worthy can just ignore our laws and cross the border illegally. Maybe those who are poor can rob banks and the ones with an education, good job, etc will just have to apply for loans and go by the rules. What kind of fool are you? Oh, a liberal. Never mind. THAT explains everything.

choppedliver June 19th, 2010 | 9:26pm

Keep out Amigos, I think I heard violin music while reading your post.

boooo! June 22nd, 2010 | 4:51pm

Imagine if every customer who went into said pizza joint asked the apathetic "can't be bothered to learn your language even after living here for many years" employees some questions in English. Then if they couldn't answer, the response would be Oh, I'm sorry, if you can't speak English and you can't even be *bothered* to try to learn English, then I can't be bothered to buy your pizza. And every single customer did this all day long, for like a month. You think that would get the message across? ;) Sometimes I fantasize about these things, that's how much it grates on my nerves. :D

My earlier comments were misdirected. Apologies to discoduck. I was referring to "queen".

whateva! June 21st, 2010 | 8:16am

So I do not give a rat's butt if someone has a website to prove a statistic. Forty-seven percent of statistics are made up on the spot. What I do care about is my country and where it is heading for my children and grand-children. I received an email this morning that more than sums it up...so for you Un-American people that want to call this racist, knock yourselves out.

Subject: My Country.....
I hope this doesn't offend anyone, it's not meant to, If it does, so be it! My great grandfather watched as his friends died in the Civil War,My father watched as his friends died in WW II, And I watched as my friends died in Vietnam ..None of them died for the Mexican Flag. Everyone died for the American flag. Texas high school students raised a Mexican flag on a school flag pole, other students took it down. Guess who was expelled...the students who took it down. California high school students were sent home on Cinco de Mayo, because they wore T-shirts with the American flag printed on them. Enough is enough. This message needs to be viewed by every American; and every American needs to stand up for America We've bent over to appease the America-haters long enough. I'm taking a stand. I'm standing up because the hundreds of thousands who died fighting in wars for this country, and for the
American flag. If you agree, stand up with me. If you disagree, please let me know. I will gladly remove you from my e-mail list.
And shame on anyone who tries to make this a racist message.
AMERICANS, stop giving away Your RIGHTS !
Let me make this clear! THIS IS MY COUNTRY !
This statement DOES NOT mean I'm against immigration !
YOU ARE WELCOME HERE, IN MY COUNTRY, welcome to come legally:
1. Get a sponsor! 2. Learn the LANGUAGE, as immigrants have in the past ! 3 Live by OUR rules ! 4. Get a job ! 5. Pay YOUR Taxes ! 6. No Social Security until you have earned it and Paid for it ! 7. NOW find a place to lay your head ! If you don't want to forward this for fear of offending someone, then YOU'RE PART OF THE PROBLEM ! We've gone so far the other way . . .. bent over backwards not to offend anyone. Only AMERICANS seems to care when American Citizens are being offended ! WAKE UP America ! ! !

Boo Radley June 20th, 2010 | 2:21am

"Keep Out Amigos" - Well, that's pretty much what Mexico does. Are you going to start protesting, accusing Mexico of racist immigration practices? Why don't you take 20 - 30 of you most liberal, big-hearted, wrong-righting friends and go protest. In Ciudad Juarez.

After the 8 survivors come home, you will probably protest *for* Arizona's law.

NADA June 19th, 2010 | 1:19am

How can three Presidents be so wrong and one President always be so right??? Herbert Hoover deported all illegal aliens to create jobs for Americans during the Great Depression. Harry Truman deported 2 million illegal aliens to create jobs for Servicemen returning from the WW2. Dwight Eisenhower deported 13 million illegal Mexican Nationals in 1954 to create jobs for WW2 and Korean War Veterans. This was appropriately called "Operation Wetback". Arizona would not have to be defending it's state borders if the President was doing his job in defending our borders and enforcing the law of the land. GO ARIZONA!!!

Jeff D June 19th, 2010 | 1:19am

deleted by moderator

ken jamme June 19th, 2010 | 6:44pm

Zach Carter is a bit of a drama queen.

IllegalIsIllegal June 19th, 2010 | 6:58pm

Ã¢â?¬Å?”ŠWe’ve decided to reject in the future any email advertising of a political nature"

So now anything dealing with prosecuting criminals is a political matter? Sheesh!

Missing TJ June 18th, 2010 | 3:26pm

queen, what planet are YOU on? is there a brain in your head?

let's just open the borders up and let everyone come in...anything else is just completely racist! Slutzky & Clark go back to sucking your thumbs.

Self Promotion Is Good June 18th, 2010 | 3:22pm

and maybe the Newsplucks can donate that billboard too...

realist June 20th, 2010 | 5:49pm

@nicknameoscar: You wrote "My experience has been that these illegals are good people and I would bet they would out work the racists here by a large amount."
********************************************************************

Do those "good people" you know include the 33% of the country's prison population who are illegal aliens? I didn't think so. Perhaps all the many thousands who were those prisoners' victims might disagree with you on how wonderful all the illegals are. Sure, many illegal aliens are good hard-working people. BUT, they're still here illegally and have no respect for our laws. I see absolutely no reason why they should ever be granted amnesty. That would make the legal immigrants absolute fools. The Dems want illegals for their potential future votes and the Republicans for their cheap labor. That must change.

Personally, I'm sick and tired of having to "press 1 for English" in my own country.

Arlen June 27th, 2010 | 10:58am

Legal immigration YES.

Secure our borders.

nicknameoscar June 21st, 2010 | 8:02am

@Choppedliver and realist
First I want to thank you both for stating your views without insulting me. That seems quite prevalent on these blogs (or whatever this is called). I find that lack of respect very discouraging. I really appreciate your professional responses. I actually enjoy reading (most of) the differing views. I always seem to learn something.

Choppedliver,
I re-read the thread and, yes, you are correct. There really haven't been statements in this thread that are rascist in nature. I think I responded the way I did because of other threads on this and other sites that were "clearly" rascist. I apologize for making it sound like there were rascist comments in this thread.

I will admit that I was quite upset when my wife and I changed banks a year or so ago and when we received our new checks I noticed the first language on the deposit tickets was Spanish. Yes, the first language, English was second. While my statements in the first post seem liberal I feel we have definitely swung too far in that direction. However it seems when we swing it is always too far no matter which direction, liberal or conservative.

For you both, thanks again for stating your views professionally.

Boo Radley June 18th, 2010 | 5:14pm

We all know that the most racist thing one could ever expect is for a Mexican to live in Mexico. The second most racist thing is to expect a Mexican to enter the United States legally. We just can't be expecting our friends from south of the border to follow this country's silly little laws, now can we? Besides, by staying "off the record", they can quickly scoot back across the border if they are wanted for a crime, thus saving this nation the expenses of a trial and incarceration. Brings a tear to my eye, the unselfish sacrifices these poor soldiers of reconquista make every day.

Sally June 18th, 2010 | 6:17pm

There is nothing wrong with the Daily Regress sending out any political ad from any group. If you disagree with the ad, delete it. Frankly, I hope they accept a lot more and invest the money in better writing and coverage.

That said, I do think the Arizona law is racist, and I wonder how most of the anti-immigration crowd would react if next time they wanted to travel somewhere, on vacation or on business, they were denied permission to go there by someone saying "we don't want your kind around here!"

ken jamme June 19th, 2010 | 5:13pm

Republicans like cheap labor and Democrats like votes. Go third party!!

choppedliver June 20th, 2010 | 5:27pm

@Nicknameoscar,
As much as you would like to read something into this...it's not there. Racist? I think that you can have pride in your country, and want to preserve that which is distincly American, without being racists. ILL-Legal immigrants are not here to contribute to our society, they are here to take from us...and then they go home.
They do not make any effort to learn our language, they stay in their communities.

boooo! June 22nd, 2010 | 4:46pm

People need to stop and think about things a little more before playing the knee-jerk racism card. Most all of my ancestors were immigrants to this country, but they did so legally at the end of the 1800s into the early 1900s by coming over in ships, passing through Ellis Island, settling into NYC, learning the language, getting jobs, and becoming productive - legal - members of American society. They didn't cluster into barrio neighborhoods refusing to learn the language and refusing to adopt to their new country, draining tax dollars. Or worse....plopping out "Anchor Babies." There's a major difference between immigrating legally and respecting and integrating into your new surroundings and then doing what a lot of the illegals do. So I can totally understand why Arizona is resorting to this.

On a side note rant, a well known pizza joint in town employes hispanics who refuse to the learn the language. I don't think this is right. At least the legal resident alien busboys and dishwashers and such that I worked alongside in SoCal made an effort to learn English. They'd be asking us waitresses to teach them words and phrases and would make the effort to speak to us in English. Some were taking classes. These people at said pizza joint just stare apathetically at people. And don't even try saying anything to them other than the name of the pizza slice that you want, because they don't understand....even after many YEARS of working there. And they don't care to understand. If I moved to a foreign country I know I would be expected to learn their language, ESPECIALLY if I opened up a business in THEIR land serving THEIR people. Can you imagine opening a cafe in say, Paris, France, and then refusing to learn any French whatsoever, and just staring at your customers like an apathetic, dead eyed doofus the way they do at this pizza joint? Yeah, that would go over well. o_O Not. That aside, L like their pizza. But their apathetic "I can't be bothered to learn the language of this country" attitude annoys me whenever I go there.

William June 19th, 2010 | 5:27pm

WillyWonka has it right, as in doing it the 'right' way. Many other persons have come to this country and done it the 'right' way. What makes Hispanics think they have the God given 'right' to come into this country, mooch off of our social systems, expect everyone to speak to them in Spanish, take jobs out of person's hands, and then send all of their money back to good old Guadalajara? I used to live in a Mid-western city that had many more ethnic persons other than Hispanics; i.e. Germans, Italians, Hungarians, Latvians, Polish, Vietnamese, Asians, etc. Most every one of them had no problem in learning the English language and living in the US for 10 years before they could become citizens. If a Hispanic wants to become a 'legal' citizen, then great. Just do it through the 'right' process, not be jumping the border and slipping into the system.

WillyWonka June 19th, 2010 | 9:33pm

"Keep out Amigos" guess what the Fedarales will do to you if you cross into Mexico illegally ??? They wont treat you with kid gloves, not ask you are in the country legally ? have papers. ? throw you in jail etc.etc.. their law enforcement system is corrupt beyond imagination.. maybe if you drop some greenbacks they will look the other way? Oh no wait you have no money that is why you are there in the first place. You must be leaving in a glass bubble.. Sheesh...

WillyWonka June 19th, 2010 | 2:22pm

I am a LEGAL immigrant. Came to the USA in 1976. I hate ILLEGAL immigrants. Why did I have to take the pains to do it right and they get a free ride ?? Every day I am proud to be an American citizen, I earned it and abide by its laws and customs every day. Some of the people here ought to go travel the world and see how not natives are treated. America can only help but so much before she sinks herself. This administration has for the first time made me very nervous and concerned in wondering what is becoming to the USA !

Paul Jones June 19th, 2010 | 11:33am

Enforce our laws. If you don't like the laws, change them. Period!

max brando June 19th, 2010 | 11:21am

The person, discoduck, is a classic liberal leftist. Always fails to debate the issues (because they have no facts at hand), and resort to nasty disparaging words and name calling. I think (s)he exposes herself for what she really is: an average ignoramus who lives exclusively by her feelings, not any intelligence.

tax dollars paying for the mexico womens foods stamps for their boyfriend to eat well too, and stop hiring the illgal to build your building and landscaping but who hiring them in the first place anyway.

Why do american people feel offended by this new law and the promotion of it, It is targeted for illegals , What dont you people understand about that phrase "ILLEGAL" . Arizona is just defending the tax paying citizens that help support all the taxes the left wing has created ,Lets not forget that plenty of innocent lives have been taken by these illegals just trying to get here and flee.
And lets not forget that illegals are not paying taxes but are using our system for benefits not only for them but their entire families , If they are legal than that is great but we are just tring to rid ourselves from law breaking illegals that are a menice to our society

queen June 18th, 2010 | 3:02pm

DISCODUCK: WHAT PLANET ARE YOU ON? IS THERE A MICRO CHIP IN YOUR HEAD?

discoduck June 18th, 2010 | 2:17pm

Screeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeech!!!!

Go Arizona!!! Now that the illegals are fleeing Arizona for friendlier states, those states will soon know what the residents were complaining about.

Maybe cville should setup billboards in AZ encouraging more illegals live here.

discoduck June 18th, 2010 | 3:40pm

"DISCODUCK: WHAT PLANET ARE YOU ON? IS THERE A MICRO CHIP IN YOUR HEAD?"

Not really sure which planet I am on right now. I know I left the planet Sierra Vista about 25 years ago.
I may have one in there. I do twitch every once in a while.

Thanks for asking.

peter June 18th, 2010 | 6:03pm

if you live in arizona feel free to voice an opinion. If you don't, and say maybe live on the east coast aka far removed SHUT UP.

nottoliberal June 18th, 2010 | 8:01pm

Why is enforcing our present laws racist? Not one president at least since Regan has done what they where sworn to do and enforce the law, the primary duty of the executive branch. Unemployment at near 10% and undocumented workers everywhere. Some say they do jobs Americans will not do. I remember a lot of Americans used to work construction and serve my burger. And they or their ancestors went through the proper legal channels to have that opportunity.

choppedliver June 19th, 2010 | 9:50am

@ sally, you travel with a passport. There are no countires on this planet where you can legally enter, live and take advantage of their governmental services...save America.

Sam Adams June 19th, 2010 | 10:28pm

Any of you circular joiks ever been anywhere else? (Besides Cancun?)

whateva! June 21st, 2010 | 8:07am

so now the hook is censoring our posts...interesting

Brown Bear June 21st, 2010 | 9:39am

Ã¢â?¬Å?Why are you sending me this ad asking me to endorse racism in Arizona?” - Can you be any more ignorant? Go Arizona, and keep on going!

john gault June 22nd, 2010 | 8:39pm

It amazes me that the Mexican President criticizes US immigration laws which are lenient when compared with his own countries:

I am not sure the "not paying taxes" argument fits entirely. I read an article (I have no idea of its authenticity) that stated employers of illegals still have to pay Social Security taxes on the illegals but the illegals will never be able to collect Social Security because the fake SSN's are just that, fake. So that would appear to be helping us legals.

Another question I have is what about all the legal Americans that do a cash only business? Do you think they report any or all of it for tax purposes? What about the rich Americans (that already make more money than they could possibly use or need) that shelter that money in Swiss or other offshore banks?

Another question is if we are serious about illegals why don't we more harshly punish the businesses that hire them? If there were no jobs I suspect a lot less illegals would come here. Of course the down side to that is that us legals would end up paying a LOT more for groceries, roof jobs, lawn maintenance, etc. etc. So, I wonder if anyone has run any numbers that would compare the cost of keeping the illegals vs. the increased cost we would pay if there were no illegals? (and we would definitely pay higher costs because you don't think for one minute that stock holders would be willing to accept lower dividends or CEO and board members would be willing to accept lower bonuses because wage costs increased...do you?)

My opinion is we should better seal our borders, deport criminals (if the home country won't take them back and keep them out of our country then we should make them pay us a tax on the goods they are exporting to our country, that tax money could be used to jail them here) and make it easier for existing illegals to become legal. My experience has been that these illegals are good people and I would bet they would out work the racists here by a large amount.

I am not arguing against what Arizona is doing. If a law is on the books it should be enforced. If it is not going to be enforced then the law should be changed. I work with a man who had lived in Arizona for quite a while and he told me that a large motivation for what is happening now in Arizona is violence related. Apparently a very popular rancher was killed and people said enough is enough.

I have written the above because the racist attitudes really get my knickers in a twist. No matter what race we are (I am Caucasian) we all pretty much want the same things; a peaceful, healthy existence, an opportunity to live somewhat comfortably and a hope that our children will have the same or better opportunities than we did. I am sure my list is not complete but you (should) get the picture.

MaureenE June 18th, 2010 | 8:37pm

I very much support this paid advertising and their right to do so. Arizona's law has nothing to do with racism or civil liberties violations. It is about protecting U.S. Citizens who pay taxes. Instead of confusing issues stick to the facts that we have too many people coming from all over the world to this country that do not establish citizenship but definitely establish subsidizing their life here on the taxpayer dole. I have no problem whatsoever with immigrants who desire to become U.S. citizens and who pay their share of taxes. If you are not a U.S. citizen how can anyone violate your civil rights, you should not have any protections under our laws unless you are a citizen. The fact of the matter is this country is in dire fiscal straits and this system of welfare and entitlements is unsustainable.

Hola! June 18th, 2010 | 8:32pm

Cville is as welcoming to hispanics, which will include illegals, as to the homeless:

What kind of illegal activities will libs support next? Bank robbery? Murder? Shoplifting? Grand theft auto? Or are they simply too dumb to know the meaning of the word illegal?

Grab Bag Self Impotent June 19th, 2010 | 1:43pm

Wow. What a bunch of creeps.

Castillo June 18th, 2010 | 11:24pm

I'm Chicano, Illegals (most of them) do pay taxes With a special number similar to Ssn. TIN number. Not all are taking your tax money ok. Stop accusing because some Americans also work under the table and also they are using tax payers money for benefits. Nobody knows what people really do , so why do you accuse. Not all illegals are the same just like Americans, none of you are either. One day illegals will win this problem and you will look back and see how ignorant you are because one of these we will have to unite.

I bought a bird feeder. I hung
It on my back porch and filled
It with seed. What a beauty of
A bird feeder it was, as I filled it

lovingly with seed. Within a
Week we had hundreds of birds
Taking advantage of the
Continuous flow of free and
Easily accessible food.

But then the birds started
Building nests in the boards
Of the patio, above the table,
And next to the barbecue.

Then came the poop. It was
Everywhere: on the patio tile,
The chairs, the table ..
Everywhere!

Then some of the birds
Turned mean. They would
Dive bomb me and try to
Peck me even though I had
Fed them out of my own
Pocket.

And other birds were
boisterous and loud. They
Sat on the feeder and
Squawked and screamed at
All hours of the day and night
And demanded that I fill it
When it got low on food.

After a while, I couldn't even
Sit on my own back porch
Anymore. So I took down the
Bird feeder and in three days
The birds were gone. I cleaned
Up their mess and took down
The many nests they had built
All over the patio.

Soon, the back yard was like
It used to be .... Quiet, serene....
And no one demanding their
Rights to a free meal.

Now let's see.
Our government gives out
Free food, subsidized housing,
Free medical care and free
Education, and allows anyone
Born here to be an automatic
Citizen.

Then the illegal's came by the
Tens of thousands. Suddenly
Our taxes went up to pay for
Free services; small apartments
Are housing 5 families; you
Have to wait 6 hours to be seen
By an emergency room doctor;
Your child's second grade class is
Behind other schools because
Over half the class doesn't speak
English.

Corn Flakes now come in a
Bilingual box; I have to
'press one ' to hear my bank
Talk to me in English, and
People waving flags other
Than 'Old Glory' are
Squawking and screaming
In the streets, demanding
More rights and free liberties.

Just my opinion, but maybe
it's time for the government
To take down the bird feeder.

If you agree, pass it on; if not,
Just continue cleaning up the poop

Casey Keenan June 19th, 2010 | 8:45am

If you would like to hear this message in another language....move to a country that speaks it...!!!

choppedliver June 19th, 2010 | 9:10am

Imigration is what made America great. But imigration in this country has changed. Immigrants used to come here, learn our language, and melt harmoniously into American society. Illigal immigrants are not here to become a part of America. They are here to take from America, and then they leave. Funnt, I have traveled extensivly through South America, I have never found an ATM in a spanish speaking country that gives you the option in English...what's up with that???

choppedliver June 19th, 2010 | 9:23am

@ peter...you haven't noticed? They are EVERYWHERE!!!

Someone decides to live in your kitchen, eat all your food and not clean up after themselves...and you are a racist if you throw them out?

redwhiteblue June 24th, 2010 | 3:35pm

Blowing with the wind
Leaves scatter across this land
donkeys are sleeping